Oree Foster
Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Winslow 'Dogs, Chinle 'Cats chalk up tournament victories

December 6, 2018 by Oree Foster, AZPreps365


It was a double sweep for the Winslow Bulldogs and the Chinle Wildcats in girl's and boy's basketball action in the opening round of the Flagstaff Pepsi Invitational and the Choice Wireless Classic in Chinle, respectively on Thursday.

In girl's action at the Pepsi Invitational, Winslow posted a 61-26 win over Sunrise Mountain of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Winslow boys toppled the Mingus Marauders, 59-54, in the first round of the Pepsi Invitational.

At the Choice Wireless Classic in the Wildcat Den, the Lady Wildcats tripped Red Mesa, 62-43, to advance into the second round of the three-day girl's tournament.

Chinle outlasted the Rock Point Cougars, 68-52, to advance into the second round of the boy's tournament.

Girls

Winslow 61, Sunrise Mountain (Las Vegas, Nevada) 26

Winslow played four strong quarters, en route to its victory.

The Lady Bulldogs held a 13-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. Winslow extended its lead to 30-9 at the end of the first half.

Winslow outscored Sunrise Mountain, 12-6, to take a commanding 42-15 advantage when the third quarter expired. The Lady Wildcats outscored Sunrise Mountain, 19-11 in the fourth period.

"It was a great overall team win, where everyone stepped up," said Winslow head coach Jerron Jordan.

Sierra Singer tallied 14 points and Andrea Willeto added 12 points in a winning effort for Winslow.

Winslow improved its overall record to 2-1. The Lady Bulldogs face the Coconino Lady Panthers today at 4 p.m. in the second round.

Boys

Winslow 59, Mingus 54

Down by three points, 42-39, at the end of the third quarter, Winslow battled back in the fourth quarter to pick up a 59-54 victory over Mingus.

Winslow trailed throughout three quarters. The Bulldogs had a hot hand in the fourth quarter, tallying 20 points. Mingus managed 12 points during the final eight minutes of play.

Mingus held a 15-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Marauders outpointed the Bulldogs, 16-14, in the second stanza to take a 31-25 advantage into the locker room for halftime.

Winslow shot better in the third quarter, netting 14 points, while Mingus canned 11 points.

Zachary Wagner poured in 18 points to pace Winslow. Darius James added 10 points, followed by Deangelo Lewis with nine points, Tyrell Young with eight points, Elias Stewart with three points, Zane Corum with two points and Michael Tafoya with one point. for Winslow.

"It was a gutsy win," said Winslow head coach Scott Corum. "We played really hard in our defense .... was outstanding in the second half."

Winslow improved to 6-1 overall in the young season.

Boys

Chinle 68, Rock Point 52

Junior shooting guard Cooper Burbank was tough as nails, while leading the Chinle Wildcats to an impressive victory in the first round of the Choice Wireless Classic in the Wildcat Den in Chinle on Thursday night.

Burbank treated the crowd to a shooting clinic, lighting up the scoreboard for 29 points for Chinle. Burbank's Wildcat teammate Curtis Begay tallied 18 points.

Chinle held a 10-8 lead in the first quarter. The Wildcats had a hot hand in the second period, scorching the cords for 22 points. Chinle's defense stymied Rock Point in the second quarter, containing the Cougars to eight points. Chinle held a 32-16 halftime lead.

Chinle continued its hot shooting in the third quarter, pumping in 21 points. Rock Point netted 13 points. The Wildcats increased its lead to 53-29 when the third quarter expired. Rock Point battled back in the fourth quarter, canning 23 points. Chinle scored 15 points in the final eight minutes of play.

Rock Point's Adrian Johnson netted 15 points, followed by Johnston Begay with 12 points, Ral'Shawn Descheny and Isaac Salabiye both scored 10 points apiece.

"It was a great defensive effort in the second and third quarters, which led us to pull away from a very good Rock Point team," said Chinle head coach Raul Mendoza.